India, June 26 -- Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has questioned the Centre's assertion that an Indian passport is not conclusive proof of citizenship, calling the government's position a "legal paradox" that has left the public confused.

Reacting to the Ministry of External Affairs' clarification that a passport is primarily a travel document and not definitive evidence of citizenship, Tharoor said the distinction may be legally valid but is incomprehensible to ordinary citizens.

"For decades, the passport has been regarded as the gold standard of identity. Citizens undergo extensive police verification and document scrutiny precisely because the state demands proof of citizenship before issuing one. To now say that this document does not e...